Development of an integrated sustainability indicator for the local people surrounding a reservoir project

Sustainable benefits from water resource development involve many factors that need to be holistically considered for implementing management policies. The study aimed to develop a set of key sustainability indicators following the social context surrounding a reservoir. The results show the quality-of-life is the highest significance, followed by natural resource conservation, risk management, participation, and equality, respectively. The indicator of the highest significance in the quality of life was confidence in livelihoods against flood and drought. The findings can apply to the assessment of sustainable development from reservoir projects and support a broader analysis of key sustainability criteria in various areas.